Preference For England Reshapes Chelsea Exit
Nottingham Forest have joined the growing list of clubs interested in signing Liam Delap, with the Chelsea striker making his transfer preference unmistakably clear. Speaking through sources close to the deal, Delap has confirmed he wants to remain in the Premier League, effectively ruling out serious consideration of Serie A side Como's approach.
Notably, Oliver Glasner has long admired the 23-year-old, and Forest's interest stretches back well before this summer's transfer window opened. The club views Delap as genuine competition for Chris Wood, someone capable of adding pace and physicality to their attacking options heading into a demanding new campaign.
Chelsea, meanwhile, remain determined to offload Delap after a genuinely difficult debut season at Stamford Bridge. Having triggered his £30 million release clause from Ipswich Town last summer, the club now wants around £40 million to sanction his departure, hoping to recoup much of their original outlay.
His struggles under Xabi Alonso proved considerable. Delap managed just two goals across 41 appearances in all competitions, a stark contrast to the 12 Premier League goals he registered during his standout campaign at Ipswich the year before. Consequently, finding fresh surroundings has become increasingly essential for reviving his career.
Everton Currently Lead Chasing Pack
Still, Forest face genuine competition for his signature. Everton appear to hold the strongest position currently, with David Moyes eager to install Delap as his central striker following an already busy summer of five signings. Newcastle United and Manchester United have also registered interest, alongside continued monitoring from Forest's recruitment team.
Interestingly, Delap's motivation extends beyond simply finding regular minutes. Reports suggest reigniting his England prospects remains a genuine priority, having previously been considered among the country's most promising young forwards before his stalled Chelsea move.
Whichever club ultimately wins this race, Delap's clear preference for staying in England, according to CaughtOffside, significantly narrows Chelsea's options as the transfer window edges toward its close.
